Tory MEP: Poor kids are “a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells”

Government plans which could make highly performing secondary schools allocate places to pupils of mixed abilities have been slammed by Tory MEP Roger Helmer. According to Mr Helmer, the children of middle class parents are the most intelligent and should thus go to the best schools.

Roger-Helmer Helmer wrote:

“Bright parents tend to have bright kids, and able people tend to achieve in life and to gravitate towards the middle classes. Thus a preponderance of middle-class children in good schools is evidence, not of “unfairness”, but of heritable intelligence.

“Schools that over the years build a reputation and achieve good results will attract both the ablest pupils and the best teachers – teachers who want to spend time enthusing children with a love of knowledge, not trying to exercise a semblance of discipline over a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells.”

It is not only his views on children that have got him noticed. As Left Foot Forward has reported before, Mr Helmer has a rather unsavory history: criticising charity money going to gypsy children, denying climate change and previously denying that homophobia exists.

In another case of embarrassment to hit the Conservative Party this week, Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson has declared that liberal sex education policy is to blame for recent figures showing an increase in the number of people diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STIs).

In a torrent of insults sent via his Twitter account, Stewart Jackson said that the state had “blown £300m on sex education”.

He went on to say:

“Sex education Memo to sad tedious sex obsessed Leftie weirdos – do please tweeting me You’re confusing me with someone who’s interested”

In a statement in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph yesterday, Mr Jackson said:

“I am always keen to hear from my constituents but these people were generally not even from Peterborough and were only interested in making personal attacks.

“It has made me think you can’t engage with people on Twitter. If it continues I may stop using it.”

Perhaps Mr Jackson should have taken a look at the facts, as stated in the Health Protection Agency’s report. The number of people diagnosed with STIs has, in part, increased because of the number of tests and types of tests has gone up in the past year.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of the HPA’s STI section said:

“We are doing more testing, such as through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, and some of the tests we are using for gonorrhoea and herpes are more sensitive, so as a result we are now picking up more infections.”

http://twitter.com/clairee_french/status/22622252441 Claire French

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/wildejunkie/status/22622271118 Katie Paxton

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/shamikdas/status/22622502401 Shamik Das

Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX reports @clairee_french on @leftfootfwd
http://twitter.com/mrdrummerman/status/22622515062 Sam the Drummer

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX #sameoldtories
http://twitter.com/andrewtindall/status/22622536746 Andrew Tindall

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/recoveryshibley/status/22623185750 Shibley Rahman

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/nadiashanaz/status/22623188253 Nadia

He shouldn't be allowed to speak in public RT @leftfootfwd Tory MEP: Poor kids are "bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/andyjwilliams/status/22623333663 Andy Williams

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/phillipsouta/status/22623348641 Phillip Souta

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX – what a nice bloke.
http://twitter.com/kayleelt/status/22623661383 Kaylee

Why do they allow him to speak in public? RT @leftfootfwd: MEP: Working class kids "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/tonyhatfield/status/22623685700 tony hatfield

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/austinjfisher/status/22623890673 Austin Fisher

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/leedonaghy/status/22624108586 leedonaghy

What a gimp: RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
Chris

I don’t think you mean “denying that homophobia does not exist”. But if you’re lucky he’ll send you his leaflet about how he’s not a climate change “denier” so much as he doesn’t think we can/should do anything about it (delete as applicable). There’s no denying him.
http://twitter.com/christophe_read/status/22624680734 Chris Read

I thought Roger Helmer had been quiet. RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/craigbonesjones/status/22624930861 Craig Jones

http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/08/tory-mep-poor-kids-are-a-bunch-of-feckless-ne%E2%80%99er-do-wells/
http://twitter.com/dippybutawesome/status/22625319059 Molly Coddle

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX Does this make middle class kids feckful?
http://twitter.com/odbe34/status/22625492169 Owain Gardner

So this is the modern, #caringsharing Tory party? http://bit.ly/99gqUz #Toryfail (via @leftfootfwd)
http://twitter.com/sarahstanbridge/status/22625677342 Sarah Stanbridge

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/aissagallie/status/22626159607 aissagallie

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX . What a moron!
http://twitter.com/drkmj/status/22626384963 DrKMJ

Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless neer-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX via @leftfootfwd
http://twitter.com/tyronwilson/status/22626475410 Tyron Wilson

Oh Helmer. What a cunt. http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/08/tory-mep-poor-kids-are-a-bunch-of-feckless-ne%E2%80%99er-do-wells/
http://twitter.com/blissedoutjo/status/22626771299 Jo C

“@leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX” how can anyone have voted for this man???
http://twitter.com/yorkierosie/status/22627033671 yorkierosie

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
Casper ter Kuile

Wow. Just – wow.
http://twitter.com/caspertk/status/22629580650 Casper ter Kuile

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/andyprg/status/22630518178 Andrew Griffiths

RT @blissedoutjo: “@leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX” how can anyone have …
http://twitter.com/slyweasel/status/22634029712 Steve Ainsworth

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/michellelgraham/status/22637267849 Michelle Graham

RT @slyweasel: RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/andibarnes/status/22638366020 Andrew Barnes

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/tess1959/status/22638626510 Teresa

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
Geraint

A remind of what most Tories secertly think.
http://twitter.com/nosaltsugarfree/status/22644062437 Simon

RT @thehappysalmon: It makes my blood boil! RT @leftfootfwd Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/mngreenall/status/22644251068 Matthew Greenall

Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/boudledidge/status/22644481017 Hannah M

RT @mngreenall: Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/eric_donovan/status/22644683339 Eric Donovan

RT @mngreenall: Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/bettersexeduk/status/22644895369 Better Sex Education

RT @mngreenall: Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/adamfishpoet/status/22644964601 Adam Fish

So, @SJacksonMP turns out to have been being offensive to hide the fact he's an idiot: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/eric_donovan/status/22645321537 Eric Donovan

Roger Helmer sounds even worse than @sjacksonmp! “@mngreenall: Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw”
http://twitter.com/jamievjb/status/22645635015 Jamie B

RT @mngreenall: Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/jamievjb/status/22645821046 Jamie B

Really think that some of the gang haven't got the hang of this fairness thing: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/twinterland/status/22645935688 Twinter Land

RT @mngreenall: Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw
http://twitter.com/aaron_mo/status/22647326783 Aaron

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells": http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/drpetra/status/22650593876 Dr Petra Boynton

RT @eric_donovan: Roger Helmer sounds even worse than @sjacksonmp! “@mngreenall: Left foot forward cover the Stewart Jackson/STI story: http://is.gd/eNUgw”
http://twitter.com/woodo79/status/22651422252 Stuart Wood

More epic Tory #MPFail RT @eric_donovan: Roger Helmer sounds even worse than @sjacksonmp (via @mngreenall) http://is.gd/eNUgw #sameoldtories
http://twitter.com/stoneancients/status/22663062477 Oli

RT @leftfootfwd: Feckless Tory Roger Helmer says poor kids are "feckless ne'er do wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX Tories. business as usual…
http://twitter.com/immin/status/22663130128 Lisa Harrison

RT @Stoneancients: RT @leftfootfwd: Feckless Tory Roger Helmer says poor kids are "feckless ne'er do wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX Tories. …
http://twitter.com/living_autism/status/22696227966 Irene Burton

Since Roger Helmer MEP see's fit to insult less well off kids, he won't mind me calling him a self opinionated bigot: http://bit.ly/9PHNK0
http://twitter.com/recoveryshibley/status/22696297181 Shibley Rahman

RT @living_autism: Since Roger Helmer MEP see's fit to insult less well off kids, he won't mind me calling him a self opinionated bigot: http://bit.ly/9PHNK0
http://twitter.com/dzhimbo/status/22696657577 Jim Lawrence

RT @living_autism: Since Roger Helmer MEP see's fit to insult less well off kids, he won't mind me calling him a self opinionated bigot: http://bit.ly/9PHNK0
http://twitter.com/bogle_mcneep/status/22696730526 Brian Slevchenko

RT @living_autism: Since Roger Helmer MEP see's fit to insult less well off kids, he won't mind me calling him a self opinionated bigot: http://bit.ly/9PHNK0
http://twitter.com/bozzystuff/status/22708624597 Peter Bosworth

Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" : http://bit.ly/bczwl4 via @addthis
http://twitter.com/c_a_jonestechno/status/22792714500 CAROLE JONES

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX – tosser!
http://twitter.com/ffynnon_wen/status/22794496817 ffynnon wen

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://www.doublehelixproject.com Ciarán Harkness

…And we expect anything less from the softcore UKIP?
http://www.walkwithoutpain.com.au Sandy Brisbane

Of course. An it equally follows that rich people’s kids turn out perfectly. Point well made- thanks for encouraging the debate. Sandy
http://twitter.com/tonyisyourpal/status/22968922820 tonyisyourpal

Did this government decide on Victorian Values as well ? Tory MEP – "poor kids are feckless ne'er-do-wells"… http://bit.ly/9Oa2N0
http://twitter.com/tonyisyourpal/status/22969049188 tonyisyourpal

I thought even the Tories had got past saying aloud the "poor people deserve it really" idea even if still thinking it- http://bit.ly/9Oa2N0
http://nevertrustahippy.blogspot.com Paul Evans

Clare,

It’d almost be worth pulling together a ‘top trumps’ of the madder Tories, wouldn’t it?

Give them all marks out of 100 for queer-bashing, xenophobia, irrationality, snobbery and a final ‘stupidity’ catch all.
http://twitter.com/margomilne1/status/23051205520 Margo Milne

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/aguynamedguyuk/status/23053251469 Guy Walsh

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/witchlet/status/23057798192 Marjory Smith

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/dr6LSX
http://twitter.com/clairee_french/status/26640135294558208 Claire French

@ShellyAsquith one from the archives on roger helmer – http://bit.ly/fjhKR8
http://twitter.com/shellyasquith/status/26708284115259392 Shelly Asquith

RT @clairee_french: @ShellyAsquith one from the archives on roger helmer – http://bit.ly/fjhKR8
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/05/tories-unlikely-to-discipline-helmer-for-sickening-rape-comments/ Tories unlikely to discipline Helmer for sickening rape comments | Left Foot Forward

[...] year, Helmer described poor children as “a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells”, and has previously criticised charity money going to gypsy children, denied climate change, and [...]
http://twitter.com/tomilo/status/73168079030464512 Tom King

Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/o2PW1WV I'd forgoten about this! #SackHelmer
http://twitter.com/johnedginton/status/73168320538492928 John Edginton

Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/o2PW1WV I'd forgoten about this! #SackHelmer
http://twitter.com/darkestangel31/status/73168538550009856 DarkestAngel

Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/o2PW1WV I'd forgoten about this! #SackHelmer
http://twitter.com/mulberrybush/status/73168864065757185 diana smith

Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/o2PW1WV I'd forgoten about this! #SackHelmer
http://twitter.com/brianfmoylan/status/73169817137459200 Brian Moylan

RT @tomilo: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://bit.ly/lREcqN I'd forgoten about this! < Bless him.. #tory
http://twitter.com/marxroadrunner/status/73170276979970048 Rosa

HOW DID ANYONE VOTE FOR THIS PRAT? MT“@tomilo: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/So1VErg #SackHelmer”
http://twitter.com/rattlecans/status/73170334760697856 Ma

HOW DID ANYONE VOTE FOR THIS PRAT? MT“@tomilo: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/So1VErg #SackHelmer”
http://twitter.com/andyjameshicks/status/73171049767895041 Andy Hicks

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/hlsD3N7 < him again @SackHelmer
http://twitter.com/frdragonspouse/status/73219467651457024 Jill Hayward

RT @leftfootfwd: Tory MEP: Poor kids are "a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells" http://t.co/hlsD3N7 < him again @SackHelmer
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/10/roger-helmer-mep-steps-down-he-will-not-be-missed/ Roger Helmer MEP steps down. He will not be missed | Left Foot Forward

[...] In August last year, he called poor kids “a bunch of feckless ne’er-do-wells”, and said that the reason they didn’t get in to good schools was because they had inherited poor intelligence, and in October 2009 he made a bizarre comment that one of the world’s leading climate experts concerns about the impact of meat farming on carbon emissions were: “…not surprising, perhaps, seeing that in terms of faith he is a Hindu.” [...]